Cautery protective accessory sleeve with stabalization system

Abstract

A cautery pen tip accessory cover comprises a cylindrical member that can receive a cautery pen in a first end and the tip of the cautery pen can extend from a second opposite end when the cover is in a retracted configuration. The cylindrical member has an opened lateral exposure that allows the feel of the cautery pen therethrough. A cover exposure opening in the cylindrical member to provide access to a trigger of the cautery pen when the cautery pen tip cover is in the retracted configuration. A resilient member urges the cautery pen tip cover to the non-retracted configuration where access to the cautery pen trigger is prevented. The cylindrical member is easily retracted by a finger ring configured permanently into the cylindrical member, allowing easy retraction of the cover by the operator squeezing the cover to a resistance bar stabilization system accessory configured over the cautery pen.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for preventing inadvertent activation of an electrode pen, comprising:
 mounting the electrode pen to a connection member of a stabilization system having a track disposed along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis thereof; 
 slidably receiving a sleeve on the track, the sleeve having a first end receiving the electrode pen therein, and a second opposite end, permitting an electrode pen tip to extend therefrom; and 
 resiliently moving the sleeve from a non-retracted position to a retracted position by reducing a distance between a resistance bar, extending from a distal end of the stabilization system, and a trigger attached to the sleeve; 
 permitting a user to directly contact the electrode pen through a lateral opening formed as a through hole through the sleeve, the lateral opening disposed on at least one side of the sleeve, wherein: 
 when in the retracted position, the lateral opening in the sleeve permits the user to directly contact and activate the trigger of the electrode pen and the electrode pen tip extends beyond the second opposite end of the sleeve, and when in the non-retracted position, the sleeve prevents access to the trigger of the electrode pen. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising covering the electrode pen tip with the sleeve in the non-retracted position. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising resiliently urging the sleeve into the non-retracted position when an absent of external force is present. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising resiliently urging the sleeve into the non-retracted position when an absent of external force is present with a compression spring disposed within the sleeve adjacent the second opposite end. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance bar and the trigger are offset from each other relative to a longitudinal axis of the electrode pen. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disposing a tube adjacent the track and along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing suction at a distal end of the tube. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a raised portion, the raised portion of the sleeve permitting the trigger of the electrode pen to fit thereunder when the sleeve is placed onto the electrode pen, the raised portion preventing access to the trigger of the electrode pen when the sleeve is in the non-retracted configuration. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection member wraps about at least a portion of the electrode pen when the electrode pen is secured therein. 
     
     
       10. A method for preventing inadvertent activation of an electrode pen, comprising:
 mounting the electrode pen to a connection member of a stabilization system having a track disposed along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis thereof; 
 slidably receiving a sleeve on the track, the sleeve having a first end receiving the electrode pen therein, and a second opposite end, permitting an electrode pen tip to extend therefrom; 
 sliding the sleeve, along the stabilization system, between a retracted position, where a a lateral opening in the sleeve permits a user to activate a trigger of the electrode pen and the electrode pen tip extends beyond the second opposite end of the sleeve, and a non-retracted position, where the sleeve prevents access to the trigger, by reducing a distance between a resistance bar, extending from a distal end of the stabilization system, and a trigger attached to the sleeve; 
 permitting a user to directly contact the electrode pen through the lateral opening formed as a through hole through the sleeve, the lateral opening disposed on at least one side of the sleeve; 
 covering the electrode pen tip with the sleeve in the non-retracted position; and 
 urging the sleeve into the non-retracted position when an absent of external force is present on the sleeve. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the resistance bar and the trigger are offset from each other relative to a longitudinal axis of the electrode pen. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising disposing a tube adjacent the track and along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing suction at a distal end of the tube. 
     
     
       14. A method for automatically preventing inadvertent activation of an electrode pen, comprising:
 mounting the electrode pen to a connection member of a stabilization system having a track disposed along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis thereof; 
 slidably receiving a sleeve on the track, the sleeve having a first end receiving the electrode pen therein, and a second opposite end, permitting an electrode pen tip to extend therefrom; 
 sliding the sleeve between a retracted position, where a lateral opening in the sleeve permits a user to activate a trigger of the electrode pen and the electrode pen tip extends beyond the second opposite end of the sleeve, and a non-retracted position, where the sleeve prevents access to the trigger of the electrode pen; 
 covering the electrode pen tip with the sleeve in the non-retracted position; 
 automatically moving the sleeve into the non-retracted position from the retracted position when a user removes a user-applied force to the sleeve; 
 permitting a user to directly contact the electrode pen through the lateral opening formed as a through hole through the sleeve, the lateral opening disposed on at least one side of the sleeve; 
 disposing a tube adjacent the track and along a longitudinal axis thereof and providing suction at a distal end of the tube; and 
 providing a flexible activation member above the trigger opening, the flexible activation member movable by a user to activate the trigger when the sleeve is in the retracted position.